​BIG IDEA:ADAPTATIONEnduring Understanding:Change is envitable, nothing ever stays the same.Essential Questions:Why do people make changes in life? How do non-living things change?We have all had to adapt to being in a NEW grade with a NEW teacher. We have spent a lot of time getting to know each other and creating our "school family."​

Reading & Writing​

Third graders have been working hard to establish their reading and writing routines and procedures. ​In reading, students have engaged in small group novel studies and independent literacy activities including Read to Self, Word Work, and Read to Someone. We are working to build our reading stamina and improve our reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension.

In writing, students have focused on writing personal narratives. They have worked to "hook" their readers and are now learning to use transitional words and phrases to make their writing clear and easy for readers to follow.

​Science

The first thing we did in Science this quarter was to look at the sun using eclipse glasses and some of us even got towatch the eclipse in the path of totality!!! What a nice way to kick off the school year!​We created our own solar eclipses using flash lights (sun), play dough (moon), and an orange (earth). We enjoyed being able to measure, observe, and experience how solar eclipses occur!

Our first science unit has focused on Physical Science. Students have learned about the branches of science and how science has changed our world. We used the scientific method to engage in several science inquiry activities.

*We created "singing balloons" by blowing balloons up and pinching the neck of the balloon as we began letting air out. We saw how the tone of the balloons changed depending on how far we stretched the neck of the balloon. We saw how the rubber vibrated and created sound.

*We explored atoms, elements and molecules by conducting an experiment called Float and Sink. We used objects from around the room that were made up of different properties and made predictions on whether or not they would float or sink. We tested and compared our predictions with the results.

*As we explored solids, liquids, and gases, we wrote about which type of matter we think is most important and why! We explored what happens when solids and liquids are combined! We mixed baking soda with vinegar and saw how gas was created!

​Math

In Math, we started off the year exploring how numbers can be expressed, ordered, and compared. Students can now write multi-digit numbers, use place value to compare, order, and round numbers as well as describe number patterns. We then learned how place value can help add larger numbers. Addition properties such as (the commutative, associative, and identity) helps to add numbers more easily. We then learned to round numbers to estimate sums to check to see if our answer was reasonable. We are now solving multi digit addition problems with regrouping! Estimation and mental math strategies and are important to learn because they can be used to check your work!

Social Studies

In social studies, we started off the year learning about South Carolina's six regions and the four major river systems. Then, we began learning about the American Indians of South Carolina and how they interacted with their physical environments. We learned about the Spanish and French explores and their attempts to settle in South Carolina and created advertisements to try and persuade settlers to travel to our new land!